Gliederung

Purpose: To report firework-related eye and adnexal injuries presenting to the Department of Ophthalmology during the last New Year's eve.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients attending the Department of Opthalmology was done. The classes of fireworks, mechanisms of injuries and the time of trauma were assessed. The severity of diagnoses was classified.

Results: Of the 82 patients attending the department on December 31th and January 1st, 15 patients suffered from firework injuries. 10/15 (66%) of all injuries were caused bei class II and III fireworks. The mean age was 24Â±13 years (range 11 to 49 years). 5 patients were minors (< 18 years). Ocular injuries occurred more frequently in males (11 of 15, 73%). In 6 patients both eyes were injuried (40%). Right and left eye were affected equally. There was no open globe injury. The most common type of injury were skin and corneal erosions and abrasions. 5/15 eyes had severe injury with intraocular involvement (i.e. iris dialysis, retinal edema, retinal break) with visual impairment. The follow-up for inpatients (4/15, 27%) ranged from 3 to 15 days.

Conclusions: Eye injuries from firework can cause devastating visual and disfiguring effects. Although, it is an important public health problem, there is no analysis of all patients with firework injuries. The authors mention to establish an prospective surveillance system in Germany and debate stricter legislation regarding the domestic use of firework.